Last spring, our Midwest USA road trip brought us to the charming town of Kanab, Utah. It quickly became my favorite destination. Known as “Little Hollywood” for its rich history in the western film industry, Kanab is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty and offers a welcoming, dog-friendly vibe. It was the perfect spot for our pack to explore, relax, and create some unforgettable memories.
A Super Dog-Friendly Stay
Our home base in Kanab was an exceptionally dog-centric Airbnb located right in town. This cozy little guesthouse wasn’t just affordable and impeccably clean—it also had a fully enclosed yard. Loki, Raven, and Ivy relished the opportunity to stretch their legs and play freely after long days on the road. We were all sad when it was time to leave!
Highlights of our Time in Kanab
Belly of the Dragon
Located just north of Kanab, the Belly of the Dragon is a short but mesmerizing walk through a man-made tunnel carved into sandstone. Originally created as a drainage tunnel, it now serves as a captivating spot for adventurers and photographers. The dramatic lighting and unique textures of the sandstone walls make it feel like stepping into another world. Loki, Raven, and Ivy were thrilled to explore the cool, shaded passage—perfect for a mid-morning outing.
The Sand Caves
The Sand Caves are a series of man-made caves carved into a sandstone cliff just outside of Kanab. A short scramble off Highway 89 brings you to these honeycomb-like formations with great views of the surrounding area. The caves’ soft, golden walls glowed in the sunlight, making for a magical experience. Just be careful: we found this hike quite challenging with three dogs as it is deceptively steep.
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
No visit to Kanab would be complete without a trip to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the nation’s largest no-kill sanctuary for companion animals. This sprawling 3,700-acre sanctuary is a haven for thousands of animals and offers visitors the opportunity to volunteer and tour the facilities.
I spent a memorable morning volunteering with the horses, mucking out the pastures and learning their stories. Later, I joined a sanctuary tour, which provided a glimpse into the incredible work being done by this organization. For lunch, I enjoyed a mouthwatering vegan meal at Angel’s Café on-site. This was one of the best meals I had on the entire trip and incredibly, only cost $5!
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
A short drive from Kanab, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is a surreal landscape of shifting, vibrant sand dunes. This natural wonder is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and photographers. Ivy especially loved wandering through the soft sand, leaving adorable little paw prints in her wake.
Wire Pass Trail
We embarked on the Wire Pass Trail, a gateway to Buckskin Gulch slot canyon. Unfortunately, our hike was cut short due to approaching thunder. Slot canyons are incredibly dangerous in inclement weather. Flash floods can occur suddenly while in the canyon with only centimeters of rain, not to mention the roads to and from become impassable when wet. We weren’t going to take any chances. While we’re grateful to have gotten a taste, we would definitely like to return some day to experience it fully!
The Wave Permit Lottery
One of our dreams was to visit The Wave, the iconic sandstone formation located in the Coyote Buttes North area. Unfortunately we were not lucky enough to secure a permit despite applying multiple times through the highly competitive lottery system. With only 64 permits issued daily, the demand far outweighs the availability. While we couldn’t experience The Wave, there is more than enough else to do in this area to make up for it.
Why We Love Kanab
Kanab offered the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and dog-friendly accommodations. From its unique natural attractions to its welcoming community, this small town completely stole my heart. It’s a place I look forward to returning to (there’s so much more we would love to see and do) and I hope our experiences inspire you to add it to your own travel bucket list.
Have you visited Kanab? Share your favorite spots in the comments below!
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